Four names for new DG ISI under consideration

PM Gilani, COAS Gen. Kayani and ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha during a meeting at Prime Minister House in Islamabad.—AP/File photo

ISLAMABAD: The government mulls over assigning a new director general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as its current chief Lt-Gen Shuja Pasha’s tenure ends on March 18, DawnNews reported on Wednesday.

According to sources, the four names under consideration for the post are Maj-Gen Mohammad Asif, Maj-Gen Naushad Kiyani, Lt-Gen Zaheerul Islam and Lt-Gen Javed Iqbal.

Extending Pasha’s tenure is also on the cards, it added.

It is important to note that the tenure of the current DG ISI has been extended twice by the government.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will decide about the new intelligence chief after consultating military leadership.

Earlier, US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter had shown his concern over the retirement of Pasha.

Munter had said appointment of the new ISI chief can affect bilateral ties of the war allies.

On the other hand, the US embassy in a statement hoped to maintain good relations with the next ISI chief.

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